December 2008

December 31, 2008

What a year… As 2008 comes to a slow steady close, I want to share/recap/pontificate about all of the things/people that inspired me. This will be part giving thanks, part editorial commentary… It is really for those who are the most dear to me and of course my 700 some odd closest friends on Facebook…

So where to begin? First I want to say thank you to the people who have been there for me, who have supported me and affected me in so many ways. I am truly blessed to have a great family, not a perfect family, but one that I know I can count on. I thank the universe daily for having this unbelievable safety net in my life.

I want to express my gratitude to those who have helped me start/shape my business, some directly and some indirectly… First and foremost, thanks to Conde Nast for laying me off, giving me severance and to Men’s Vogue for hiring me freelance while I was getting my severance…the good old days of double salary! Thanks to ICONYC for letting me find my way and for ultimately guiding me down the right path. Thanks to Frame of Mind Coaching for helping me clear the obstacles from my chosen path and for helping me discover new paths… Thanks to my corporate clients such as Souza & Associates for contributing to the cash flow, Mixed Business Group for keeping it interesting, Solas for future promise. To my personal branding clients, thank you for letting me go through every nook and cranny of your closets and in some cases your lives…loving every minute!!! Last but not least, big kiss to my consignees for taking the leap of faith…

I want to acknowledge the other small businesses who have partnered with me to help make my company a reality…thanks to Priestbird for my website done on a shoestring and a dime, to Carol Caputo for my logo, to Lisa Berg for capturing my spirit in my headshots…to Wonderland Beauty Parlor for its entrepreneurial drive, to Cablight for giving me an opportunity to extend my voice and to BlackBook Magazine and StyleWhipped for letting me write!!! Hmmm…I may have missed my calling…perhaps I should be writing acceptance speeches for award shows…

OK, enough mushy sentiment, now for the fun style stuff… I am always inspired by other people, how they dress, how they carry themselves, even sometimes just how they exude happiness… My style icons vary, just like my personal style, but some of the women and men who have stayed with me this year are Sienna Miller, Lou Dillon, Chloe Sevigny, Kate Moss, the Gossip Girl boys on and off set, the Gossip Girl girls on and off set. They take major style chances (some with the help of talented stylists of course) and they own their style, so even when they get it wrong and they do, they still continue to expand my style consciousness…

Like most of us, I become attached to certain brands. My 2008 most coveted were Prada and Chanel for bringing back lace, Gucci for doing Boho chic like no other, Balenciaga for always changing our perspective and perhaps for the best LBD of the year, The Row for its sheer simplicity and leather, leather, leather, Elizabeth & James for always getting that girly meets rocker thing right, Alexander Wang for some needed edge and Jill Stuart for always giving me the perfect dress!!!! The top five items/trends I couldn’t live without were anything rock-n-roll, military-inspired jackets, did I mention leather, my Gucci gladiator-inspired shoes and fringed boots, all paired back to some boho, girly, “vintagy” dress or blouse!!!!

So many references, so little time, so I am going to keep this on the shorter, sweeter side… Thank you to all of my The Gift Of Style readers!!!! I truly appreciate your daily support. There are lots of exciting changes still coming my way in 2009, so I want to share a few highlights to watch for…

I am expanding my “Shopaholic’s Journal” entry to two days a week as is by far my most popular. I am adding a bi-monthly entry called “Style Mavens” where I will feature one person and their personal style or perhaps just a random look (call it a Sartorialist knock-off if you will). I am launching an underground, pop-up shopping event, called Wonderland Fashion Flea Market on January 25th (more to come) and I am going to be speaking style at several events (also more to come).

It is an exciting time for my company Grace Group and for little old me, so once again to all, I am grateful for your support and your partnership in 2008. Have a very Happy New Year and I look forward an even better 2009!!!

December 30, 2008

Well ladies, you have two days left to find that perfect little number for New Year’s Eve. I have a love/hate with this universal celebration… The hate, shared by many is the unspoken pressure that it is supposed to be the best night of your entire year. The love is that we have a chance to renew, to start over if we choose…it is also the one night a year you can go all out and anything goes. Of course, Halloween is one as well, but I am talking about actually dressing as yourself and really making a WOW fashion statement, not as the “slut” version of yourself. I for one am looking forward to an interesting New Year’s Eve and an even more interesting 2009, so I want to share all of the lovely frocks that I am coveting…

I adore Jill Stuart for her perfectly feminine, yet sexy dresses. The store in Soho is always my first stop when looking for anything “special occasion”. Like most retailers right now, the sale is major! For $150 you can buy a signature Jill Stuart strapless dress. She does by far some of the best in the contemporary market. I saw several amazing versions on the $150 rack, so get there fast as they are selling like the hot little numbers they are…

Another must stop is Yigal Azrouel, in the Meat Packing District when on the search for a fabulous party gown! His draped, ruched, sometimes embellished jersey dresses come in the most magnificent jewel tones and are simple go-to pieces. But, if you don’t mind splurging, his Lizard Sequin dress is a showstopper. Intermix also carries an abundance of his pieces, so if you prefer to shop in Soho, Lower 5th or Madison Avenue, you have many options.

Another great party frock resource is Alice & Olivia. Always girly, always sweet, you can find the perfect little mini for your big night out! I am coveting the beaded/feathered Ballerina Dress on sale at Bergdorf. Alice & Olivia’s girl-about-town designer Stacey Bendet also experimented with paneling
this season, giving her frilly creations a harder edge. I love the navy strapless Paneled Mini available also at BG. I think navy is the perfect LBD option, so pair it with some black fishnets and black fab shoes and you will rock the night away. Yes, navy and black is a very chic combo…oh so Parisian!!!

If your celebration is a more sophisticated affair, I am really passionate about three dresses I found on Net-A-Porter. The first is the Bronwyn Silk Dress from one of my new
favorite designers Jonathan Saunders, the second is the Embellished Trapeze Dress from another hot newbie Rue Du Mail and the third is the Corsage Dress from a hot emerging brand, La Petite S*****. They are bank-breakers, but are on sale, so if you order overnight delivery as soon as you read this, you will have it just in the nick of time…

OK, I am obsessed with finding the perfect red dress and would absolutely recommend parting with your more straightforward color options to dazzle them with this seductive hue… I found three that I am dying for. The first was the Jadyn Dress at Jill Stuart. Of course, it was still full-price, but it was the most amazing color of red/fushia velvet…stunning!!! If you are reading my blog regularly, you know I am loving backless and one-shoulder looks, so of course I found simple perfection in a one-should Jay Godfrey creation available at Saks. Finally, the vintage girl in me, adores the Marc Jacobs Belted Tulip Dress also at Saks. Its high slit is beyond sexy and its slightly geisha meets boudoir-inspired shape is quite provocative.

One last “Shopaholic’s” hint… If you really want to make an impact and standout, go vintage. For some ideas, check out my vintage column on BlackBook Magazine.

Happy New Year to all! Always celebrate new beginnings with panache…look for that perfect little statement dress and of course, always party like its 1999!!!!

December 29, 2008

I was an 80’s child so metal bands and big hair were a significant part of my teenage years… I still love a good dose of Guns n Roses and I am a closet Bon Jovi fan. OK, yes, Jon is also hot, but come on you have to admit that Livin On A Prayer still stands the test of music time. Well, I would love to give you 1000 words on the virtues of ACDC, Poison and Metallica, but sadly this is not my forte. The only common thread between my teen angst-inspired musical tastes and this blog entry is lots of hair!

I have an infatuation with headbands. I always envied those stick straight, blond-locked, semi-preppy girls who could pull off that perfect grosgrain headband and those ballerina-esque girls with their buns and their simple little bands. I wanted to be Ali McGraw in Love Story and feel some sort of strange kinship to all of those 60’s flower-power girls, yet until recently I just couldn’t find a way to merge these functional little style statements into my overall look. We are coming into a major headband/headwrap moment and I for one I am determined to find a way to “make it work”.

The newest headband versions are less utilitarian, more art for your hair, less practical, more fantasy-like and perhaps the costume jewelry of the season. I figure if you are going to attempt this adventurous fashion fad then you should just go big or go home! Some covetable finds are yes, once again at Urban Outfitters. For about $25 you can have a slender band with a peacock-like burst of feathers, a romantic flower or a wrap of lace. Most of the embellishments lie flat to you head, so would work best on hair softly pulled back or of course on a headband friendly smooth as silk mane. I suppose a head of curls could also be tamed by one of these dainty hair jewels. I would go hippy style if you have mounds of luxurious locks, but of course this statement is not for the fashion-lite crowd.

I also found an abundance of magnificent Jennifer Ouellette hair adornments at Barneys on a recent visit. Her feathers are really inspired and unique and most are under $100. Jennifer Ouellette is a true innovator and designs in New York City…you know how I love to find brands that are produced in our own backyard…

If you are a celebrity-file, Misha Barton just launched a headband line in collaboration with handbag/jewelry designer Stacey Lapidus. Heavy on headwraps, pearls, sequins and crystals are the materials of choice… If your inner prom queen is screaming, the subtle tiara-like version could be the one for you. They are also perfect for ringing in the New Year so dazzle them with any of these lovely little embellishments. You pay for Misha Barton’s name of course as all are over $100, so if experimentation is more your thing, I promise you won’t be disappointed with some of the featured less expensive options.

If you are wondering how to wardrobe this major hair statement, don’t fret, it is fairly simple. If you are going bold make this your jewelry statement. Don’t go for the Philip Lim necklace I just featured, as you will be at risk of embellishment overload. I think headbands are well suited to any special occasion, so just make sure they don’t fight with your dress…adorned dress-simple band, LBD-impact band…easy!!!

I also love the idea of the headwrap to finish off any flowy sundress look. Sure, you can go true hippy with a maxi dress, but a subtle, less throw back way would be to be to pair one with a more contemporary dress option, perhaps something from my go-to Elizabeth & James. This of course is not really a business appropriate look, so if you want to incorporate some sort of hair piece into your work wardrobe, stick to a simpler band.

Give me any reason to accessorize and I am a happy girl, so if you see me in one of these special head decorations, be nice…it may not be the most age appropriate look, but you can’t be truly fashionable without taking some risks. So go ahead and gamble a bit with this trend…live on a proverbial prayer and you may find that you created a bit of feminine magic that lets your gorgeous mane shine in the most intoxicating of ways!!!

December 28, 2008

I love a preppy-ish guy. Who doesn’t? Preppy attire is perhaps the most important American fashion import. But, I have to admit that I am feeling a little prep overload these days…

Classic prep had another menswear moment in 2008, with the modernization of the rep tie, blazer-shirt-tie-short phenomenon and of course the return of the now ubiquitous (in fashionista circles) bowtie. Cute for a minute, but I am sort of burnt out on men looking like schoolboys…

Yes, some brands, like Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors, have built their empires off of classic American sensibility, yet in most cases they do so less literally (even Ralph). Others like Michael Bastian are melding a preppy vision with an updated, rugged attitude. As traditional as many of our truly preppy brands seem, they still have a somewhat modern edge.

So guys, I think it is time to retire your Vineyard Vines pants, tennis vests (sorry GQ, I know you are touting the return of the tennis sweater) and to save your bowties for special occasions, not every single day!!!

So what do you do if you are a prepster at heart? A friend of mine does what I call “edgy neat” like no other. He manages to infuse elements of traditional prep, like a rep tie or even a symbol of “preppydom”, a polo oxford shirt with a cool almost James Dean meets rocker flare. He finds special vintage pieces such as motorcycle boots or a Belstaff Roadmaster jacket and uses them to exude a more masculine and yes, honestly a more contemporary sensibility. So fashion boys, mix it up a bit! Don’t be so literal all the time. Have fun with preppy pieces, but combine them with non-prep items to create a look that is less twelve year old and more stylish rogue…

If you can part with your preppy ways entirely and are ready to embrace a less obvious way of dressing, start thinking about some of the great collections that are just around the corner for Spring. I am obsessed with Burberry Prorsum. I wish every man could dress this way…effortless, romantic, beyond chic. The color combinations are smart, masculine, subtle and rich and the shapes are relaxed and fluid. Definitely look at the collection Men.Style.com, as it is impossible for me to choose just one look to do it justice. YSL's unstructured collection was also a standout for me and has a slightly similar feel to Burberry Prorsum.

I also can’t get over some of the Dolce & Gabbana tailored looks…Part Madmen, part Clark Kent, part “modernista”!!! The one-button skinny lapel suit is quite sexy… I don’t know about you but I can imagine a guy ripping that suit off and donning a Superman suit underneath (weird superhero fantasy perhaps?).

Finally, thank you Tom Ford! He has ushered in the return of dressing like a man (yes, he does the bowtie, but with less prep and more chic). He is so not trendy, that he has created the ultimate trend…luxurious, simple, sophisticated and yes, always-hot “big boy” clothes! Now, of course, I have been known to say the brand is overpriced and it is, but I won’t take away from the genius it represents!

As in some of my recent womenswear articles, I am just going to subtly introduce you to some of my Spring loves and as we get closer to the time when you can actually wear and buy these clothes, I will give you “low” options as well. I know no one can afford Tom Ford.

In the meantime, please start to pare back some of the preppy references you are all so infatuated with…don’t be so trend literal…it isn’t chic and can look “costumy”… Save some great pieces and start to mix them with some new or perhaps vintage finds. Always remember, the most fashionable are not always the most obvious…sometimes a little quiet sophistication is what will ultimately make you shine!

December 27, 2008

I often talk about powerful fashion influences and how although they sometimes take shape in the form of a trend, most are pervasive and stand the test of time. Some themes of I have explored briefly are the military, music and art… I have yet to really dig into nature, as until recently I hadn’t found the brand/s that would inspire me to do so…

When I launched my blog, I told you that I see myself less as editor and more as a curator of indivdual style. I share the things that I covet, that exhilarate me and yes, sometimes just make me happy. I bestow my views with the hopes that you will be motivated and encouraged to search for the elements that help define and express your personal sense of self. I choose carefully and with great thought and so today, I want to turn you on to some nature inspired collections I cannot live without…

Aesa, designed by Brooklyn designer, Randi Mates, is a sensual, feminine line of somewhat unusual, sculptural pieces. The shapes are organic and many are quite tribal in nature. I particularly love the plain or diamond Vein Necklace. It reminds me of an ivory tusk (thought made of made of environmentally correct sterling silver). The shape is also fresh and somewhat architectural as it lacks fluidity. I also adore the Vein Pyrite (an iron-like mineral) Pendant available at Barneys Co-op. It too shares a bone-like reference, though since in dangles, it is less linear and seems more aqueous.

I am having a major Alexander McQueen moment. Again sort of contrary to my more bohemian nature, but I think he is one of the great modern artists and his Spring 2009 collection was exquisitely inspired by nature. He mixes his harder edged, structured design philosophy with organic references. His wood
prints (not necessarily the pieces I would buy) are lovely and graphic, the floral appliqué dresses are little gardens of perfection and the piece de resistance is the shell-like corset that he combines with some of the more fluid shapes. He also uses feather-like fringe to create some of the most unusual and sensual cocktail dresses of the season.

Nothing is quite as feminine as a magnificent pair of shoes inspired by the environment. We are still in a “dominatrix” shoe moment, which will continue into the Spring, but I of course I found some covetable landscape-inspired jewels. When all else fails, leave it to Louboutin to create something breathtaking and at the same time organic. At Bergdorf Goodman, you will find the most amazing floral “petaled” sandals. The black satin crepe are the perfect New Years
statement, but if you want to invest in your future, they also come in a pale pink that will add something special to any Spring look. They are romantic and girly and scream natural.

If you are thinking, “uh oh all of this is out of my budget”, don’t despair… In true The Gift Of Style form, I will share some go to “low” options. The easiest “low” way to embrace nature is to go floral. Yes, I know it is more literal then perhaps the McQueen collection, but still lovely and organic.

My new client turned me on to DVF again. I tend to shy away from brands that are ubiquitous as I think it is harder to standout, but when you shop a brand well (as she does) you can find those impact pieces. DVF is great destination for florals and graphic nature-inspired prints. The Hazelle Dress in Tulip Secret is flowy and feminine and at $345 is a great way to put a little “garden” in your life. I might even wear it now with a sweater and tights, but if this is slightly advanced for you, save it until the weather turns.

How about giving Target a whirl? I love the Merona Multi-Strand Flower Necklace for $17.99 or the Multi-Strand Peridot Necklace $59.99 (it looks like a little splash of water) and if you prefer the really
unique find, scour the vintage stores on the LES for organic, sculptural shapes.

As we get closer to Spring, I promise to explore this trend further. As you know, I do like to focus on what you can actually buy and if possible wear now… So in the meantime, start to think/shop with an environmental point of view and find true beauty and inspiration from nature and yes, of course nature-inspired fashion!!!

December 26, 2008

My good friend Bruce is always inspirational. He sent me the most interesting holiday message... This is a quote that he shared with his staff and also forwarded to a few of his close friends. I was quite honored to be included! Sort of keeping with my theme today, it is about living life and experiencing all that it has to offer without fear, without regret and most of all without excuses.

"It's not the critic who counts: not the man who points how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at lease he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

December 24, 2008

I just came from a business meeting and had to run a couple quick errands… I was happy to see the stores packed with last minute, panicked buyers. I am the worst when it comes to buying gifts. I am so obsessed with picking the perfect object…I procrastinate and then all of a sudden I run out of time. I also hate all of the gift guides you find in magazines…they are way too obscure. If you are anything like me, I thought I would share some easy gift ideas with all of you Christmas Eve shoppers.

Don’t give up and just buy a gift certificate…way too impersonal and who feels the need to share the amount they spend?

If you live in the West Village, hit Mxyplyzyk, pronounced “Mix-ee-pli-zik”. I know the name is crazy, but it is by far my favorite quick gift store. For your family or friends who like to drink buy the Graphic Tumblers ($20 for a set of 4) or the Antler Bottle Opener ($12.50). Both gifts are chic and will spruce up the worst bachelor pads. For the home cook, I love the Nigella Serving Hands ($28) or the This Is Rude Cutting Boards ($32). I promise these will be useful additions to a well-stocked kitchen.

I also love Hable Construction for special little finds. Almost everything in the store is made of cotton and the prints are perfect for a country home. I am always coveting their storage boxes ($98). They are perfect for toys, for magazines, for towels or anything that needs a cozy, yet stylish space. If you want to splurge a bit, their canvas bags are the best ($150-$300). Everyone needs one great fabric print bag. I would use them in the winter to shop (oh-so green) and in the summer they are the best beach bags! I especially love the Canvas Cloth Weekender ($225)…so perfect for a quick trip to Miami, for a man anyway…I could never make it in one carry-on!

Sabon is the perfect store to buy something for your aunt or some relative, twice removed. Their boudoir-inspired lotions and scrubs ($25-$35) are beautifully packaged and are quite luscious. I am not
a big fan of the gift set, but if you must, they have several options in the $30-$50 range.

For the truly modern and sophisticated person, Moss has to be on your list. You can’t go wrong in this store…something for everyone. The savvy “modernista” will light up when he/she sees the box alone.

Moving west to Nolita, I recommend Charlotte Ronson for the younger girls in your life. Most of the pieces are under $200 and are designed specifically with teenage angst in mind.

For the woman who has everything, buy her something fabulous from Jamin Puech. I adore the Abakoum Feather Evening Bag in Purple ($480) or the Sequin Sibel Bag With Charms ($770). They both pretty much rock my world. If you don’t want to spend quite that much, hit Dinosaur Designs for the most amazing resin accessories and homewares. The bangles are around $150 and come in many colors, shapes and sizes. They are perfect for any woman and the vases (most under $200) are organic and make quite a lovely addition to any home.

If like me, you don’t have time to make the mad dash to several of these great little gift hot spots, the good news is that most will offer you one-stop shopping. Mxyplyzyk is probably your best bet as you can literally find something for everyone. Get there early, as I am sure it will be a madhouse. Remember it isn’t brain surgery to give-good-gift… So, Happy Hunting and Happy Holidays and of course good luck!!!!!

December 23, 2008

As promised, every Tuesday will be Shopaholic’s day, so in true form I want to share my newest non-bank-breaking obsession, costume jewelry.

I know some of you can’t live without the real “bling”, but if you want to quench your thirst for those icy little treasures, there are so many unique ways to embellish yourself and still not burn a big hole in your pocket.

I am really into statement necklaces…the bigger, the better! I have my eye on one in particular that would be perfect for New Year’s Eve from 3.1 Phillip Lim. It is “zebra-esque” with zig-zags of gold sequins and black suede. It is almost like a bejeweled bib and would be unbelievable with a simple black strapless LBD. Of course, in true value-conscious form, I particularly love it because of its spectacular price, $250. If you prefer to shop online, it is also available on LaGarconne.com.

I still love the look of a multi-chain necklace, which I would wear with just about everything. They
have a rocker edge, but the natural drape and movement adds an element of grace and softness. I discovered a brand named Dannijo that has
some of the best versions under $300. The one I love is from their “Cult Couture” Collection, called the Laird and is comprised of multiple strands of layered gold and silver. They have many versions to choose from, so spend some time on their site…well worth it.

Another surefire way to make a statement is with a fabulous cuff. I am coveting a silk covered, rosette-adorned cuff from Kiki de Montparnasse. It is the ultimate
understated must-have for any bad girl who wants to show her sweet side…part
handcuff, part sensual wrapping…it is oh-so alluring. Again under $300, it the perfect exclamation point to any arm-baring outfit.

I have never been a big ring girl as I have slim hard to fit fingers, but if I was, there are two I would buy immediately. The first is from a brand that I think is fabulous, Iosselliani! They do the most amazing layered, twisted, almost graphic designs. The one I want is a sterling silver panther head with crystal pave embellishment. It is a
little more expensive at $345, but well worth it. You can find it at Barneys right now. If you aren’t into having any sort of animal adorn your body, then LaGarconne.com stocks several other choices that are quite organic.

The other ring I desire, is from House of Harlow 1960, Nicole Richie’s vintage-inspired collection. It is a deco, semi-bulbous, white leather cocktail ring encrusted with crystals. I think it makes a major fashion statement, so if you are a downtown girl, wear it every day and show your true personality. Now for
the best part, it is only $55 and available on Kitson.com.

Costume jewelry is such a great way to change up your look, show your true colors and take the mundane out of your wardrobe…so get into playing dress-up…don a great costume (jewel that is) and spice up your work and play persona!!! Keep them guessing…

December 22, 2008

Sorry for the cheesy early 90’s reference, but I just couldn’t help myself… Now, I am not referring to the “back” this Sir Mixalot song made so famous… In fact, I am never a fan of blatant flaunting of one’s more womanly parts. I think sexiness is less obvious and that a little bit of mystery or being subtly revealing is much more provocative. This is why I fell in love with an open back Herve Leger by Max Azria that another bad 90’s reference, Jenny McCarthy wore to the premier of Yes Men…

There is just something about an open back or low back dress that is so overtly feminine and alluring. Let’s face it, men love to look at a woman walking away, so a little peek-a-boo surprise can be quite an aphrodisiac. It is also sophisticated and elegant as it adds an element of gracefulness… A woman’s back can be one of the most graceful parts of her body as it truly reveals the way she moves. Also, how nice for your man to be able to touch your skin without appearing like he is molesting you.

An open back can also be quite ageless. Of course, I am not suggesting that an older woman wear something backless, but a little drape or keyhole effect can be quite attractive on anyone. For some reason, a woman’s back seems to survive that dreaded gravitational pull we all ultimately experience at some point in our lives…
Now if you aren’t 100% comfortable with any part of your middle back bared, a bare shoulder can also do the trick. I am absolutely in love with some of one-shoulder styles so popular today.

If you are tired of making cleavage your big statement, then let me suggest a few of my favorite back or shoulder baring dresses…
I adore Halston’s dress collection. They are feminine and fresh and yes quite sexy. Net-A-Porter still has some beautiful open back jersey dresses for sale, that make quite a statement and the new Spring collection which you can see on Style.com is skin-baring perfection.

If Halston is a little cost-prohibitive, I found the perfect Elizabeth & James dress on ShopBop.com. It has one simple strap that not only displays a little upper back, but that allows your shoulders to be the focal point. The white is definitely something I would save for warmer weather, but if you are in the tropics for New Year’s Eve, it is a WOW piece! If you are in the cold for this year’s big finale, the gold lame backlessTibi dress is the perfect party frock. I am not usually a big Tibi fan, as I feel like most of their dresses belong at a luau, but leave to Net-A-Porter to find a truly sophisticated option.
If you aren’t in love with my suggestions, don’t despair, Net-A-Porter and ShopBop.com have so many other choices.

OK, so you are probably thinking with a bare back or shoulder, what do you do for a bra? Luckily there are so many options today. You can buy multi-way bras from most brands, but if you don’t want to splurge for just one dress, then Victoria’s Secret is your best bet. And for all of you backless girls, go for the stick-ons or chicken cutlets as they are so fondly called. Nu Bra is still the most popular option and they work really well.

So of course, I am coveting the dress worn by Jenny McCarthy but sadly was unable to find it online, so if any of you come across it, let me know and in the meantime, take my advice and show off your “sexy back” while ringing in the New Year!!!!

December 21, 2008

I have the most amazing little French Bulldog named Oliver. He is a little bundle of love, yes, constantly a handful, but a love nonetheless… Once you become a Frenchie person you can’t help but adore other people’s Frenchies too. They just get under your skin, so you find yourself dropping to your knees in the street to say hello to each and every one of them. You basically become a “crazy” dog person…

So a few weeks ago, I was doing a little vintage hunting on the LES and I happened upon a little gem of a store called Suite Orchard. Now I have to tell you that the only reason I went in was because, to my delight, inside was a Frenchie puppy. When I tell you he was beyond adorable, it is an understatement and like most Frenchies he had the cutest name, Louis (like Louis the XIV, not St. Louis)… I could barely keep my hands of the little guy!

To be respectful to the lovely owners, I of course put the puppy down and decided to take a look at the clothes. To my surprise (stores on the LES can be hit or miss), they had a beautifully edited collection
of some of my favorite contemporary brands, such as Alexander Wang, Jovovich-Hawk, Hanii Y, Alice Ritter, Rag & Bone and some others that are not quite as easy to find such as Lover, Staerk and Sue Stemp.

They buy with a critical eye and have a distinct point of view, which can sometimes get lost in a small store. So many under spaces are jam packed with a visual barrage of pattern and color, but not Suite Orchard. Yes, they keep the store full, but for the most part they focus on neutrals and when they do color or pattern they choose one or two themes to work into the store. The result is visually pleasing and very modern. The product mix is slightly harder-edge meets girly-girl, which is the way I love to dress… It is on trend, but not overly trendy, so every piece in the store is a good wardrobe-building investment.

The décor is very paired down, with subtle ticker stripped walls and simple contemporary furniture and since it is on the corner it receives great natural light,enhancing the subdued charm. Honestly, I think the key décor element is Louis, but then again, I am biased.

So girls, when down on the LES, make sure to stop into this week’s The Gift Of Style Gem, Suite Orchard… Give yourself some pre, during, post-holiday retail therapy and get the added bonus of a big dose of puppy therapy. Even if you are in a frugal mood, Louis is worth the drive-by!!!!

December 20, 2008

OK, I am not a big fan of the winter…I despise wearing coats, hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters and anything else I require to stay warm (boots not included). Give me a little dress, some strappy sandals and I am one happy girl! That said, I choose to live in New York and thus must endure 4 months of really cold weather… I have given much thought to how to stay warm and still look stylish. It isn’t easy, but I have some suggestions that just may work…

I love anything really versatile. Even though some die-hard fashionistas will think they are so last year, I still love my Hunter boots. They work in the rain, the sleet and the snow (with those nifty little liners). They are only $115 and they look great in the summer, fall, winter and spring…well worth the investment! The black are chic and almost double for a cool pair of motorcycle boots, however I adore
the red, the perfect cure for the winter blahs. They are well constructed, waterproof and have a very sleek appearance. I love it when great design and function marry!!!

If you love to layer, a cape will be a great addition to your wardrobe. Again, a cape scores big versatility points, as it will carry you through 3 seasons. They are cocoon-like, which helps retain body heat. Have you ever noticed that your hands feel warmer in mittens? Well a cape has the same effect as it allows your arms to be closer to your body if you so
choose. Yes, the open bottom is a bit drafty, but with the right sweater this is a non-issue. Buy either of the A.P.C. plaid, asymmetrical closure versions on LaGarconne.com, as they are quite modern, architectural and strangely feminine!

If I could have had any one style-meets-function coat this season, I would have bought The Row Lamb Shearling, which sadly is now sold out. It was retro, timeless, elegant, sumptuous…the ultimate splurge!!!! I am not sure it would have been the best choice for a stormy day, but when wanting to look “fairer-weather-fab”, sometimes you just have throw practicality to the wind. A possible replacement that has a similar vibe is the Burberry Prorsum Textured Lapin Coat on sale on Net-A-Porter.com. I know fur is so un-PC, but this coat really inspires the vintage in me…

So what is stylish girl to do on a day like yesterday or even today? Sadly there really aren’t many designer or contemporary options, as they are usually high on design and low on function. I am sort of tired of Moncler already, but I have to say that I do sort of love their Millbrook Quilted Jacket available at Saks. The raccoon collar is what really sells it. It is a chic option even on the most miserable days. I actually own two perfect, very high-fashion, inclement weather coats; one by See By Chloe and one by Hanii Y, but sadly I just couldn’t find that flawless replacement this year.

If you also can’t find the perfect, chic, nasty weather coat, then spruce up what you have with a great hat. The options are of course boundless this time of year, but I adore Eugenia Kim hats. The berets are perfect…rich colors, and amazing knitting techniques. You can get them on sale at Intermix. ShopBop.com also has a good selection. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money and perhaps purchase several hats, I recommend Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters. Urban Outfitters has a great faux fur hood that would be perfect for upping the style quotient on any winter day.

Now sometimes, I agree we just need to be warm, so who cares what we look like when “old man winter” hits us hard… I say, layer, wrap, cocoon, do whatever you need to do, but if you can still find it in you to add a little chic, I promise it will make you feel just a wee bit happier when braving the storm!

December 19, 2008

My mother creates her own holiday cards every year. She chooses a photograph from her collection and then finds the perfect quote as her holiday wish to compliment the image. The result is always beautiful! I wanted to share this year's quote and photograph with you.

"May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun and find your shoulder to light on, to bring luck, happiness and riches today, tomorrow and beyond."

"Tis" the end of my charity week, so I am going to try something a little different for my final entry. I am going to forego the usual style tips, product recommendations and general fashion commentary to talk about something a bit more personal...

In late February 2008, I started my own business, ended a relationship and sprained my knee... One hell of a trifecta! I plunged myself into work, which luckily was quite lucrative right off the bat. I was working in the social media space, fashion, publishing and having what I thought was a great old time. The truth is that although I thought I was following my passion, I was really just taking consulting gigs that put good money in the bank. Trust me it takes a lot of guts to walk away from years of a nice, big, cushy salary... I was allowing cash to control my decisions.

Come July, my consulting gigs had ended. All of a sudden, I found myself with no income, no man and what I believed to be the signs of a mid-life crisis. I promise, I am not being dramatic. I just didn't know how to move forward. Luckily, I had a couple of unlikely guardian angels. The first was my good friend who recognized my state and suggested that I work with his life coach, Kim Ades. At first, I resisted, but eventually decided to take the plunge. Kim and her company, Frame Of Mind Coaching are amazing... The program is fairly straightforward. Ten weeks, one hour long coaching call a week (she is in Toronto) and a personal journal. When she told me I had to write in an online journal every day for ten weeks, my first reaction was-"no way, no how, I hate writing". Pretty funny coming from someone who is now a major blogger...

Anyway, Kim's program changed my life... Yes, another dramatic statement, but so true!!!! She basically taught me to "think better" and to focus on what I WANT, WISH FOR, COVET, DESIRE. She taught me that YOU are the only one who has control over your happiness. You cannot control what others say, do, think, but you can control how you let what others say, do, think affect you. The key is very simple... Whatever you focus on grows! If you focus on the negative, you get more negative, but if you focus on what your really and truly want, you get that instead!!! I promise you it is true.

Since I ended my 10 weeks, I successfully re-focused my business (incorporating much of what I learned), I am doing what makes me happy every day and I discovered that I LOVE to write which has started to open new doors for me. Don't get me wrong, there are times when I slip back into my old ways of processing the world, but I am getting better and better at shifting my attention when things don't seemingly go my way.

There is so much power in hope, in wishing, in wanting... It may seem self-indulgent, but so what? There are so many people in our world that only have hopes and dreams to keep them going, so if you have any money/time left this week after donating to all of the charities I have mentioned, then please give some to the one organization predicated on wishing, the Make A Wish Foundation. I don't know about you, but what they do truly moves me. They grant a wish, any wish to children with life-threatening diseases, with the goal that when the wish comes true it gives them and their loved ones more hope, enough hope to continue to sustain positivity and potentially life. As Kim would say, "pretty cool"!!!

So to all my readers, I hope that all of your wishes come true... Don't be shy about wanting, coveting, desiring. I promise, it will change your life as well!!!

December 18, 2008

I am a pop culture fanatic…I worship Gossip Girl and The Hills, I read US and I watch Access Hollywood. Now if you are thinking “how vapid”, I “totally” understand. But…of course I am going to have to disagree. Pop culture is certainly part guilty pleasure and mindless entertainment, but it is also a rich source for style cues, a window to youth mindset and most importantly a more accurate view of what makes America tick. If you are a marketer (for a company or even yourself) and you don’t have your pulse on the finger of pop culture, I promise you are missing the big picture!

Last night I was watching Access Hollywood and I was inspired to write this blog. Actually I was more
than inspired; I was compelled! Who is responsible for Billy Bush’s out-of-date and ill-conceived wardrobe? My entire business is predicated on helping people look and feel great in their clothes so I have to wonder, how does any stylist get away with such consistent “Fashion Police” violations?

His ‘fashion don’ts” are numerous, but lets just start with the most obvious. Guys please don’t go stripe happy. Never wear a bold stripe suit with a bolder stripped shirt and yes, a stripped tie. Yikes!!!! First of all, it is just way too much pattern. I am a big fan of subtle pattern mix, such as a soft plaid suit with a micro-check shirt and the right stripe tie. When pattern mixing, keep it subtle and make sure the patterns compliment each other. Don’t ever do the same pattern over and over, like Billy. Also, another good trick if you are going to mix it up is to think about pattern balance. If you want to wear a stronger
stripe tie, then make sure your shirt pattern is subtle as in the example above. You can do a stripe tie with a stripe shirt as long as the shirt is a pencil stripe and if you are a bit more fashion forward, go for a plaid tie on a check shirt, but stick to a solid suit. Everything should look harmonious and nothing should fight.

Another reason that too much pattern doesn’t work on him is that he is very short. If you are shorter, the best bet is to limit pattern, as it will cut you and shorten you even more. Solid colors always elongate one’s body. Now, this doesn’t mean you should look boring, so use ties, pocket squares, or a great tie
bar to make your style statement. Find something you can own to make yourself unique.

Billy’s next big “don’t” is the beyond dated, “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”, dark suit, dark shirt, dark tie look for daytime. I love this for evening, when done correctly, but for day it is just way too “Regis Philbin”. He is also fair haired and skinned and the dark colors always look harsh on him. Choose a dark suit, but soften it up with a softer colored shirt. If you just can’t break away from the dark-on-dark look, then simply choose a shirt that still has a lot of color depth and richness so that you still get a bit of tonality but also some contrast. For example, a beautiful French blue in lieu of navy or any kind of royal blue, or a khaki instead of olive or dark brown.

Lastly, Billy's ties, even done right are beyond ugly. Come on guys, you have so many tie choices! Like I said in my RVR Neckwear story, ask for help in the store if you aren't sure. Well, I could just go on and on about this topic, but I think I have given you some good food for thought!

So now, on to how you can give back. Get rid of all of those Billy Bush, Regis Philbin-inspired clothes in your closet and donate to Career Gear, today’s featured charity. Like Bottomless Closet for women, Career Gear has the simple goal of providing appropriate business clothing for under priveleged male job seekers. They have volunteers who help men choose the right clothing for interviews, so don’t worry, they won’t be making the same mistakes that Billy makes. All clothing is appreciated and put to good use. Of course, don’t donate anything that is torn and cannot be mended or that is permanently stained. If your clothes are damaged, a better bet is always the Salvation Army as they cater to providing basic human requirements such as food, shelter and clothing.

Find some time to consume some pop culture and you will benefit (most of the time) from the powerful style statements that today’s celebs shower upon us…. Use these cues to make smart decisions about your wardrobe, then purge yourself of “fashion don’ts” and donate the cast offs to those in need!

December 17, 2008

I am always thinking about the best way to add a little visual pop to my male client’s wardrobes. I shared one of my favorite quotes with you recently about how you should be a work of art… For woman it is so much easier as color and pattern and print are so widely accepted. It so contradictory to nature! The male peacock is the beautifully embellished sex…the lion has the wild mane…the baboon (well maybe his visually enhanced part is better left unsaid)… So why are men so accustomed to being bland and subdued? Well if you are ever so slightly intrigued with why so many male animals are so “well-adorned”, this blog entry is for you!

Here is a really inexpensive way to be a bit bolder, get noticed and yes, continuously amp up your style. My favorite and the most widely accepted is the always casual-chic printed tee shirt. This of course is nothing new, but I am still amazed that so many men still get it wrong. If you don’t have fashion confidence, keep the color neutral. Stick to white, ivory, all shades of gray and olive. Black
can work as well, but it does give you that rocker edge, which is not for every man. You have to be a specific type to pull it off. Wear them under a casual sportjacket, bomber jacket or cardigan. You don’t want to hide them, as the whole point is to add a little graphic pizzazz. Layer them over another solid tee to add more color texture to your look (choose complimentary colors). Stick with jeans or casual pants, the tee shirt under a casual suit look is a bit played out or was it ever in?

Try to stay away from slogans… No need to broadcast your political or sexual ideology to the world. Definitely look for cool vintage tees with brand names or better yet, just artistic designs. Also, don’t go collegiate, unless you are still in school and please retire your frat tees!

Some great tee shirt resources are of course Barneys Co-op. They have by far the broadest selection. Some key brands to look for are Ever, Rogan and Surface To Air. Another sure bet is “What Goes Around Comes Around” in Soho. Canvas the LES and you will be sure to find a plethora. Collect several so you can always change up the visual cues you are emitting.

Since we are talking about the proverbial “feast for the eyes”, it is only fitting that I share today’s recommended charity. This one is perhaps the most obvious, but also the most overlooked. We are so concerned with the hot “charity-de-jour” that we don’t always think about how we can help in our own backyards. How about donating to the Food Bank For New York? Help feed the millions (can you believe?) that go hungry in the 5 boroughs. It is so easy! Give some of the money you save by wearing tee shirts on the weekends and at night or just clean out your pantry. I have the same issue in my pantry that I do in my closet…unused stuff (canned goods, rice, etc.). Even if you can just give a little, it can go a long way. Please make sure that the date on the package isn’t past expiration.

Actually I have a brilliant idea…just volunteer some time. You can wear your new tee shirt when you do…

December 16, 2008

I am coining every Tuesday, “Shopaholic’s Day” on “The Gift Of Style”. If you didn’t have a chance to read last week’s entry, “A Shopaholic’s Journal” is basically a brain dump of all of the fashion and fashion-related objects of art I covet and obsess over. This week staying true to my promise of being penny-wise, I am taking you on a tour of all of my “wants” that are under $100. Now you are probably wondering how such a self-proclaimed fashion girl could ever want anything under $100… Well, I am here to tell you that not only do I have to edit myself to keep this entry from becoming a novella, but that when it comes right down to it, if you are savvy and open minded, you can potentially build the base of your entire wardrobe with such items and still look great!!!

First on my list is always American Apparel. I am obsessed with their long sleeve tee shirts ($20) and wife-beaters ($17) that come in a rainbow of colors. The long sleeve tees are amazing layering pieces, fit well and are the perfect length. I am only 5’4” so I hate when tee shirts come down to my knees. I open up the possibilities in my closet by layering them under my Spring sundresses. Who ever would think that a spaghetti strap dress could work 12 months out of the year? Add some great tights and boots to the knee and you have a smart Fall look. Be careful not to pick anything to summery looking! I also adore their leggings ($26). They also come in a broad palette and fit well (they hit at just the right part of the hip, so you don’t feel like something is pinching you around the waist all day).

I am in love with the cotton pointelle sweaters ($95) at Geminola in the West Village. They also are the perfect layering piece and look great over a tee, under a vest, a sleeveless dress and so on and so forth. The options are boundless. They have a feminine, vintage feel that will make them standout pieces in your wardrobe. For the more adventurous fashionista who likes to add a little whimsy to her wardrobe, they also design these wonderful plastic beaded charm necklaces ($95) that are sweet and girly and so much fun!

Stripes, stripes, stripes!!! When I was young, I lived in France and of course wore the quintessential “Breton Nautical Sweater”. Since then, I have always been drawn to a great nautical-inspired stripe. My favorite stripes are from a special little store in the West Village called Butik. They sell the softest, textured stripe tees ($95) that are a mainstay of my wardrobe. They look great with anything black, navy and I especially love to mix them with other textures such as tweed…super chic! Another tee shirt go-to is Splendid for their “not-so-basics”. This season they created the perfect, lightweight wool jersey, long sleeve, stripped tees ($90). I found them at
Intermix in pale gray and white and in mid-gray and charcoal. I want them both!! They are longer so look smart under a solid sweater with the bottom peaking out. They also would work for business under a jacket or even layered under a dress.

I adore vests… They never go out of style, they are versatile and can add excitement to a tired outfit. I am coveting several of the vests at Urban Outfitters. At the top of the list is a nifty little ivory and black intarsia knit version for yes, $14.99. I promise it doesn’t look it. I would layer it over blouses,
dresses, the Splendid tees and so many other items. It adds texture and pattern to a subdued look and enhances that personal flare I always talk about. I also want the slightly rough and tumble tuxedo vest for $68. Keep it rock-n-roll with black jeans and a cool printed tee or soften it up with a romantic ruffled or lace blouse. There are so many to choose from. Hit the store on Broadway, right above Houston and relish in the choice.

Sadly ladies, retiring the Uggs is long overdue. I still buy a pair every season, but I use them to walk the dog. If you want a comfy, updated alternative go for a pair of Minnetonka’s (all under $100). They still give you that Ugg feel, but look more relevant as fringe was a big trend this year. I have my eye on the knee-high, front lace up and the calf, high-fringe versions. They are perfect for the up-and-coming winter months and you can find them on Zappos.com.

Finally, you know by now that I relish costume jewelry. As mentioned before, the street vendors in Soho are a great source! Get great bracelets and necklaces for $20 and under. I get compliments on the pieces I find all of the time. Another new desire is the friendship bracelet. I am sure you are wondering how does a woman who thinks of herself as stylish incorporate a rope, multicolored bracelet into her wardrobe? Trust me I was as well, until I found the perfect, cleaned-up, nylon rope versions at the fabulous Michael Angelo’s Wonderland Beauty Parlor. Not only do they cost $15, but the proceeds go to today’s featured charity, the Somaly Mam Foundation.

The Somaly Mam Foundation is committed to ending sexual slavery. Somaly Mam’s organization in Cambodia runs several shelters to rehabilitate the victims of this horrible crime. As part of their rehabilitation the girls (yes, they are children that have been sold by their families) undergo basic academic instruction and useful skills training. In sewing class, one of their first achievements is learning how to make the aforementioned bracelets. By a couple of them as they look great layered or better yet buy them for all of your friends and family for the holidays and at the same time save a child from horrific torture!

Remember it is important to continue to fuel the economy…so, please shop! You can find so many great stylish pieces that won’t put you in the poor house and thus will allow you to continue to support those truly in need!!!!! ~Nancy Berger

December 15, 2008

Yesterday I braved the holiday insanity and spent the day shopping with one of my new clients. He is one of those dream clients who loves clothes and embraces designer fashion. He really doesn’t have an issue spending money, but we had to purchase several items so we like most of you decided to go sale hunting.

Every year at this time, we enjoy the promise of great deals and great product, but this year was shaping up to be the best yet for bargain lovers. Stores that usually are not known for being promotional were touting 60-75% off… a shoppers dream come true. Yet, I have to tell you, I was disappointed. Like I said my client loves designer, so we were hopeful to go a little crazy at the once sale-poor Barneys 3rd Floor and Bergdorf Men’s Store. Do you remember the line from “Pretty Woman”, when Richard Gere tells the store manager that they are going to spend an obscene amount of money? Well, I don’t know if we were planning on the “obscene” route, but we came to spend…

First we tackled Barneys. We started on the main floor and worked our way all the way up to 7…nada! Barely any sale, and what we could find that was worth buying didn’t come to close to the vowed 60%
off.

Next we went to Domenico Vacca, as my client is a big fan of their shirts and rightfully so. Everything in the store was on sale at 30% off. Now, we did end up buying a couple of shirts as they were exactly what we were looking for. Clearly we didn’t save what we hoped. I will tell you that the shopping experience was stellar however, as the staff was attentive and really rolled out the red carpet for us. The Maitre D from Cipriani happened to be in the store and as a favor to the Domenico Vacca crew ran over to the restaurant and brought us a bottle of water. I mean come on, the guy didn’t even work there…love that!!!

The next and last stop was Bergdorf Goodman where we spent a good hour and a half. Again the sale merchandise was really limited. We did hit the service jackpot though. My old friend, Teddy is one of the personal shoppers, so I had him scour the store for what we needed. We did pretty well, but again, ended up with less than we hoped. My client was looking forward to finding more Gucci and is obsessed with Tom Ford (just one measly group of sweaters marked down), but no luck there. Now, I commend Tom Ford for not going on sale, as the label is still new and coveted and is trying to maintain brand integrity. Alas, we were still let down.

So what can you find that is worth braving the holiday madness for? Cashmere, cashmere, cashmere!!! Both Bergdorf and Barneys private label cashmere sweaters are on sale for 60% off. The Barneys selection was broader and less picked over. Bergdorf was fairly cleaned out of v–neck and crew styles, but had some luxe cashmere vests for around $250…a great investment. Bergdorf had a broad selection of noteworthy shoes on sale as well. The entire back wall of the shoe department on the main floor was marked down. If you are in the market for a new suit or two, Barneys has a fairly good selection at 60% off, though key sizes are slightly depleted. If you aren’t a 40/50 Regular or a 42/52 regular, a quick trip to Barneys is absolutely worth it. I also happened to stop by the John Varvatos store in Soho on Friday and they had a nice selection of 50% Fall…great suits, outerwear, shirts. The staff there “rocks” as well.

The best place to find deals are at my crop of “low” shopping favorites such as J. Crew and Uniqlo (cashmere sweaters are $49).

So when you do get lucky and find your most desired pieces and gifts at the remarkable price of 60%-75% off, what should you do with all of those savings? Spread some of your wealth and buy a ticket to the “Charity Ball”. The annual gala to support “Charity Water” is tonight, Monday the 15th at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Tickets to the after party are only $250. I went last year and it was a great night. Beautiful people, booze, a live rock performance and an amazing photographic exhibit. It is so much more fun, when you can party and give back at the same time. If you can't afford the $250, you can donate even a small amount on their website. For those of you who don’t know, Charity Water is an amazing organization dedicated to providing clean drinking water for African communities. I can’t do the description justice, so I want to share their powerful mission statement.

“Most of us have never really been thirsty. We’ve never had to leave our houses and walk 5 miles to fetch water. We simply turn on the tap, and water comes out. Clean. Yet more than 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have clean water. It’s hard to imagine what a billion people looks like really, but one in six might be easier. One in six people in our world don’t have access to the most basic of human needs. Something we can’t imagine going 12 hours without.

Here, we’d like to introduce you to a few of those billion people. They are very real, and they need our help. They didn’t choose to be born into a village where the only source of water is a polluted swamp. And we didn’t choose to be born in a country where even the homeless have access to clean water and a toilet.

We invite you to put yourself in their shoes. Follow them on their daily journey. Carry 80 pounds of water in yellow fuel cans. Dig with their children in sand for water. Line up at a well and wait 8 hours for a turn.Now, make a decision to help. We’re not offering grand solutions and billion dollar schemes, but instead, simple things that work. Things like freshwater wells, rainwater catchments and sand filters. For about $20 a person, we know how to help millions of people.”

Pretty amazing!!!

"Tis The Season"...so go ahead and find a great sale, then share some of your savings by donating to an organization that helps millions find a little something special underneath their proverbial holiday tree!

December 14, 2008

Day 2 of my commitment to help you give back… One of the most sought out services that my company Grace Group offers is the strangely traumatic, ultimately freeing “closet cleanout”. Like you, I have trouble parting with my most prized fashion possessions, regardless of whether I have worn them in years. I go through the “but what if I want to wear it someday” mental “tete-a-tete” on a regular basis… Now here is the thing, I never end up wearing it and neither will you!!!

Here are some simple rules to live by… If you haven’t worn it for a full fashion calendar (two falls or two springs in a row), it will languish in your closet into perpetuity. If it has sentimental value, perhaps some painfully ugly sweater your ex gave you, trust me, it is time to let go! Look at his or her picture instead, but don’t give up valuable closet space to house emotional baggage. Wouldn’t you rather fill it with new “baggage” instead? If it seems painfully out-of-date, then it probably is. Yes, fashion from other eras is constantly being reintroduced and reinvented, but some fashion moments just don’t need to be resurrected. Look, I am an 80’s child, and I have affectionate memories of Madonna and Pat Benetar-inspired “costumes”, but I promise that although they still serve to be powerful design influences, the real thing is best preserved in the mind’s eye. Finally, get rid of anything overly trendy. Denim can be a good example… Although it seems like a classic item, the wrong jean silhouette will scream out-of-date!

OK, so what should you keep? Don’t part with timeless pieces if they are still in good condition. Good condition means no visible stains, snags, seam pulls, over-pressing marks, etc. Don’t try to convince yourself that no one will notice, as someone will. Wearing damaged goods, chinks away at your personal brand armor, so pay attention to those small details. What makes something timeless? If something is simple, a neutral color, has clean lines, it can be savored as a go-to for years. Best examples for women are the LBD (little black dress), pencil and simple mini skirts, white blouses, cashmere cardigans, a great trench coat, classic flat front trousers (any leg width) and a fitted jacket. These items sound oh-so-boring, but they are quintessential items that not only build a wardrobe, but serve as the base for all fashion experimentation. They should always be replaced as needed…no closet should be without!

Keep special pieces and style builders… They items provide the punch to any wardrobe and although may come and go with trends, in my world they are always relevant and are the source for experimentation and change. Some of my favorite “keeps” are anything sequined, leather regardless of the silhouette, handbags (only if they are in great condition), an amazing print dress, costume jewelry, great boots (I still adore my Chloe boots from two seasons ago) and lace. Everything else should usually go.

Hopefully, you will decide to give the old closet purge a try. If it is just too painful for you, find someone like me to help. Give everything that you don’t keep away. My favorite charity is actually called “Bottomless Closet”…how appropriate?

It is the first workforce development organization of its kind, to address the compelling need for services that would increase the potential for low-income women or those on assistance to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Their main focus is to assist women in the greater New York metropolitan area get back on their feet and to work again; taking women who have been job trained and dress them for economic success; helping them get off welfare and stay off welfare through job retention training and provide the ability to obtain appropriate clothing for work. Job readiness, combined with self-confidence in one's appearance, allows women to focus on learning their jobs, keeping their jobs and advancing to a higher career level and paying positions. Your old clothes will be donated to these women and will be given a chance to be truly appreciated rather than collecting dust in your closet.

Purge, eliminate, streamline and donate! You will feel lighter, you will feel fulfilled and you will feel great about yourself!!!

December 13, 2008

Every day we get inundated with overblown, scare-inducing stories about how the economy, the world as we know it, is coming to an end… Of course, there is much truth to be told and although I am a great optimist, I do know we have seen better days. First our financial system takes a free fall, then our auto industry runs out of gas and now up to 50 billion dollars has potentially been squandered by the greedy and corrupt. I don’t know about you, but I am sort of fed up.

So in true form, this got me thinking about how I can continue to preach about building a personal brand and creating a unique style, while being sensitive to those who are not quite as confident that all will be OK. I decided to devote this entire week to ways we can still invest in our economy (by continuing to shop), be frugal and at the end of the day give something back to those who are in need.

As you know, I am a big fan of switching up your work wardrobe. Even if you work in the most corporate of environments, there are ways you can still look memorable on a daily basis with minimal investment. The most obvious, but perhaps the most challenging is neckwear. Us girls think men have it easy… Throw on a suit, pick a basic shirt and grab a tie and go. The truth of the matter is that picking the right suit-shirt-tie combo is not only quite a skill, but a real challenge for most men. My truly fashionable clients definitely do it right, but it can be a painstaking process at six, seven in the morning. There are so many ways to make a mistake and sadly grave-tie-choice errors seem to be the norm!

So what is a guy to do? The first option is to shop intelligently. Buy your shirts and ties at the same time and if you aren’t a true style maven, ask the salesperson to help. Pick a least two ties for every shirt. Another alternative is to pick a tie brand that is known for subtle, sophisticated patterns...small tight patterns, classic stripes. If you keep it simple, you can still look distinguished and chic, without the potential for a complete fashion flop. I recently found the perfect combination of style, craftsmanship and design, a new brand called RVR Neckwear.

I had the opportunity to sit down with the man behind the tie, RVR’s founder, Robert Valdez-Rodriguez. Robert ( a great guy by the way) is a Wall Street veteran, who about a year ago came to the realization that buying a tie was not only somewhat of a daunting task due to the boundless selection, but that overall good taste and quality was somewhat elusive. He set out to create the perfect neckwear collection…one that addresses the needs of the style-conscious businessman and delivers quality, elegance and a big douse of personalization.

Robert designs all of the RVR ties and has partnered with the premier neckwear fabric mill in Italy. Although some of the designs are similar to those found in some competitive brands, all of the colors and most patterns are exclusive to RVR. I saw the collection and I really felt that it was right on the money. He gets it…he lived it. He was the one the guys who needed to make that arduous decision every morning. He has more insight into the needs of the average man, than lets say some junior designer who never will have to don traditional business dress. The result is rich colors, subtlety and a polished point-of-view.

Also, all of the ties are 100% handmade. At $185, you will be hard-pressed to find such a value. Most ties are machine made (even some of the well-known luxury brands). Another key distinguishing factor is that all of the ties are self-tipped. In simple terms, the underbelly of the tie is in the exact same fabric as the tie, no solid lining...amazing!!! With RVR you get couture-like construction and smart design for a not-to-hard-to-swallow price.

Perhaps my favorite part about the line is that it is not readily available. Buying lesser known brands is a key way to up your personal style quotient! Robert has been smart to control distribution and remain selective about which stores carry the line. He decided to make his website the primary point of distribution, so you can shop online in the privacy of your own home with you entire shirt and suit collection at your disposal. How can you make a mistake?

If you are watching your spending these days, RVR Neckwear is a smart investment. Forgo buying a new suit (of course unless you really need one), and buy a few RVR ties…take the money you save and donate it to one of my favorite charities, Housing Works, dedicated to fighting AIDS and homelessness. Better yet, clean out your tie drawer or edit your tie rack, and all of the impulse mistakes you have made and give them to Housing Works as well!!!

Those of you who know me, know I love my “Boho Chic”, but I have of late been completely inspired by a new modern group of knitwear designers… lets call them the “contructionists”. They are taking knitwear to the most artistic heights and they really prove once and for all that fashion is just as powerful an art form as some of our most famous masterpieces…

I read about Sandra Backlund recently and planned on writing about her at a later date, but when I received several pages ripped out of a Wallpaper magazine featuring inspired knitwear “architects”, I became compelled to blog By the way, the pages came from my mother who is one of my favorite “editors”…she sends me clippings often as she is a voracious magazine reader. Sandra Backlund is an emerging Swedish knitwear designer. Her creations are sculptural, sensual and at times seem protective, almost like armor or a shell. They make a dramatic statement and will definitely spice up your tired sweater collection. As they are focal pieces, wear them with simple leggings or skinny jeans and boots. You won’t need any embellishment! Right now, I can only find her collection in Europe, but I am sure she will hit the US market soon.

Another up-and-comer is Brit designer, Simone Shailes. Her sweaters are similar to Sandra Backlund’s in that they are chunky, seem to be composed of almost fluid, tubular shapes and seem reminiscent of corsets or once again armor. Hers are body conscious and have peek-a-boo details…expose your skin for a sexy, power-female vibe or layer over a tee shirt or simple blouse for a less obvious effect. Keep the bottom portion simple, as her sweaters also speak for themselves.

If such aggressive and powerful styling is not your thing, there are other knitwear resources that also can quench your thirst for high-design and artistic expression. I briefly mentioned Ilaria Nistri in yesterday’s blog. Her designs are soft and sensuous, but 100% sculpted and constructed. Lutz & Patmos, available at Barneys have been on the scene for a while now and create some of the simplest classic knitwear to styles that fold and drape and move. They also have a more contemporary line, called Leroy & Perry, which they design exclusively for Barneys Co-op.

Many women don’t use knitwear in their daily wardrobes. They see it more as the cozy-weekend-go-to and other than a sweater set, which is a big “yawn”, they don’t know how to incorporate it into their work wardrobes. Now I am not recommending that you necessarily wear a Sandra Backlund or Simone Shailes creation to the office, as I see them as such standout, special pieces that I would wear for special occasions…lose the cocktail dress. That being said an amazing, sculptural knitwear masterpiece worn over a simple dress or with a “flowy” blouse and pant will really set you apart in the office. Use a slightly fitted or boxy cardigan-shape or asymetrical sweater to replace a jacket and add a touch of femininity to any business outfit. Again, skip the classic cardigan and experiment with some of the sumptuous, chunky styles that are readily available at stores like Anthropologie. One of my obsessions this season was the Alexander Wang boucle vest, long sold-out everywhere…I am still kicking myself for not buying it.

So, embrace a little construction...an amazing textural or sculptural sweater will not only up your style quotient exponentially, but it will make you stand-out from the pack, allow you to show your softer, feminine and even romantic side and will proudly display your love of fashion as art!!!

December 11, 2008

So I had some time to kill today in between meetings, so instead of going all the way back to my office in Tribeca, I decided to do a little “retail mapping”… I basically comb a neighborhood or sometimes, if I hit the jackpot, just a couple of streets for hidden little retail gems. Today, while meandering down West 4th, I hit pay dirt…

“M” which stands for Michael, soon to have a name-change to “Hotoveli” just opened seven weeks ago. Now like I said, I don’t see myself as a fashion editor per se, so I don’t always know about amazing new places as fast as the fashion cognoscenti do, but I do try to stay on top of what is happening. It seems I either missed the press coverage or “M” is truly a little find. Either way, I am sure most of you have yet to experience not only a perfectly edited selection of new and better-known talent, but also a dramatic, beautifully designed space.

Upon entering the store, you can’t help but notice the almost “moody” turn of the medieval-type yellow-lit glow. I felt that I walked into a candle lit hall, except for the fact that it was brilliantly juxtaposed with modern fixtures and vintage touches. The store manager told me that the dark, aged wood floors are actually from Siberian wood and that the rug defining the center of the space is a150 year-old Afghan treasure. All of the fixtures in the store are custom made and the dressing rooms are basically a rich, simple fabric attached to vintage metal rods. The rods alone are quite special… The foot of each rod actually is in the shape of a hand and the hand is clutching a crystal. My favorite part was that instead of needing to clumsily pull the fabric over to enclose the dressing room, one side, fabric and all actually swing open like a door…genius! The “piece de resistance” is the vintage doors on each side of the space (they are just for show) reclaimed from old townhouses in Brooklyn.

The design alone is impressive and could have kept my interest for quite a while if not for the distraction of absolutely beautiful women's and men's fashion. As the manager walked me through the racks, he showed me brand after brand on designers that I have never heard of (in fact, I can't even find a few online). The first piece I grabbed was from a French designer by the name of Isaac Sellam. His knit lined, distressed leathers are architectural masterpieces…reminiscent of beautiful lightweight shearlings. The muted gray colors are fresh and modern. Oh, I should mention that everything in the store is black, charcoal, dark brown, which only ads to the drama and gives the store a distinct point-of-view. We then moved on to Italian designer, Ilaria Nistri’s masterfully conceived knitwear. The silhouette is sensual and expressive, much like the store. The real standout (vintage-lover that I am) is Louis de Gama’s dresses. They are vintage-inspired, though utterly modern, paring lace and faux-leather and romantic shape with harder edges. They are now on the top of my “covet” list!

The men’s side of the store is equally as impressive, though most of the brands are familiar… This is not a criticism, as the editing was on spot. The outerwear is a standout with rugged, edgy styles from Stone Island and vintage, celebrity-inspired pieces from Belstaff. Perhaps the most exciting outerwear resource in the store is Henro…the featherweight...and I mean featherweight down jackets are
must-haves and yes, so much more chic than Moncler, which they carry as well. Another favorite is Italian brand, Unity. The double face cashmere, Yohji-inpsired coats and sportjackets are quite special and sophisticated…a great investment for the man who has it all.

There is a smaller room on the right side of the store that artfully houses the dressier clothing. Chic Lanvin suits for men and the most perfect cocktail dresses for women are the exclamation point to what has now become one of my favorite new fashion-finds…

Nothing is on sale, which I applaud… The point-of-view is modern, sophisticated and quite affecting. Run, don’t walk to this little West Village gem, as I am sure it will be discovered any minute!

December 10, 2008

OK gentleman…I know the title perked your interest, but today I am not writing about marital discord or the million and one ways your partner drives you crazy…instead, I thought I would share with you one of my favorite ways to become permanently attached.

I love a man in chains…again, don’t get excited, this is not some sort of fetish confession…but, I can’t think of anything more sophisticated or cool than a visible pocket watch chain, key chain or just a chain attached to a man’s jacket, vest or pant.

One of my earliest inspirations was my uncle. He still wears his father’s pocket watch and fob every
day. It is a really special heirloom and of course has great sentimental value. He always attaches the chain to his belt loop and the watch hides away nicely in his front pant pocket. It makes a strong statement about who he is…it shows his sense of tradition, a pride in where he comes from, a timelessness (no pun intended) and it is one of those unique little ways he separates himself from the pack. Don’t get me wrong, I love a beautiful wristwatch as well, but a pocket watch is an amazingly chic alternative. Although this is not his style, it is the perfect accoutrement for a 3-piece suit, with the chain attached to the vest and the watch in a watch pocket or pant pocket so the chain is visible. If I were a man this is the way I would wear it…so distinguished…a real testament to power and confidence!

My next key reference is my ex…OK, so you get a little relationship stuff. He wears a heavy silver chain that he attaches to his wallet. It is one of the most significant ways he brands himself. He wears it with everything…jeans, dressy trousers, suits and it conveys so much about the person he is. He is a true hipster…not one of those wannabes. His edgy style matches his edgy lifestyle and the total effect is nothing but smooth and cool. His style in many ways is a throwback to the smart fashions of the1920’s mixed up with a modern rock star vibe. It is 100% authentic, which is what everyone should strive for when creating their own special brand. I have said it before…It works because he owns it!!!

The last example for today’s column is my friend, lets call him M, who I have written about before. He too has this hipster thing going on, but it is less rocker and more downtown clean and casual. He is a true jeans and tee shirt man. Yesterday, he had a really bold silver chain attached to his jeans. Truthfully, I don’t even know what was on the other end. It really was more like a piece of jewelry. The rest of his look was really subdued…just black jeans, black sweater and vans, so the chain made a huge statement. I loved it and it inspired me to write this story.

Jewelry can be such a bad word for many men…they immediately think "way too feminine". Of course, I don’t agree, but the truth is most men don’t have someone to refer to when it comes to adorning themselves with jewels. So if you don’t have the confidence to tackle a great bracelet or necklace or ring, a chain is the perfect hardcore "manly" statement.

For the corporate environment, tell the world you are self-assured and oh -so-chic and invest in a special vintage pocket watch. Some great places to look are Aaron Faber in New York. The antique watch selection is vast and the owner Ed Faber is one of the premier watch experts in the area. If you have the patience for the bidding frenzy, eBay is also a good option and lastly, one of my little secrets is the 26th Street Flea Market…you never know what you might find. I usually give a “low” option, but when it comes to buying any watch, stick with the experts and make the investment, as it is something you will treasure forever.

For a more casual workplace and for play, make a masculine statement, display your individuality and go for some chains. Attach them to your wallet or even your keys and yes, wear them with everything…so sexy. Let them become your jewelry and buy a few different widths, link styles and sizes. I prefer the simplicity of just one chunkier strand, but you can also play around with styles that have multiple strands. Stick with silver or stainless steel! Go a little "goth" at Trash & Vaudeville in the East Village. I also found some pretty inexpensive options online if you just want to try them on for size. Try AMiGAZ.com...no need to break the bank to get the look.

Distinguish yourself and make a statement with a special pocket timepiece or express your inner rocker and go bold… Either way, hold on tightly to the old ball & chain...you won’t be disappointed.

December 09, 2008

Everyone who knows me thinks I have a little shopping problem, addiction, whatever you want to call it…. I am not unlike a lot of women in NYC who love to shop and covet all of the beautiful objects of desire they find. I have the “Carrie Bradshaw Syndrome”…yes, my apartment down payment is in my closet in the form of Manolo, Louboutin, Gucci, Valentino, Prada and so many others… That being said, today’s column isn’t meant as a lesson or a wake up call to get you to change your evil shopping ways. Instead, I want to celebrate the shopaholic in all of us and share some of the websites, the fashions, the stuff I love and yes, even obsess over.

I am beyond obsessed with a store in Soho called Bess, for their amazing Rock-n-Roll inspired clothes. Every style has some type of metal embellishment (the chain-embellished dresses are on my must-own list). I am longing for a 1920’s fringed dress I found at Foley & Corinna (they have the best party dress selection in NYC) and have my eye on the leather motorcycle pants by The Row, available at Barneys. I am yearning for anything from Rodarte (to me they are true artists and a force to be reckoned with), the 20-something girl in me wants a pair of See By Chloe high-tops and the vintage maven wants one of blouses from the newly resurrected Ossie Clark collection, available at Scoop.

I haven’t been to LA in a while, but am hoping to go for business in a couple of months. My first shopping stop is always Curve. I know they have a store in NYC, but for some reason I just don’t like it as much as the LA outpost. I always discover new designers there, like Blur Leather (amazing prices and innovative design). I am also dying to go to Presse on La Brea (recently opened) as they have many of the brands you can find on La Garconne.

It took me forever to take the plunge and buy shoes online, but once I realized how easy it is, I never looked back. I really can’t remember the last time I braved a shoe department… You can’t beat Neiman Marcus and Saks for the selection. Barneys is better in the store as they really edit what they offer online. For those of you who haven’t tried it yet, I promise it is a piece of cake. Neiman Marcus and Saks ship the next day and make it so easy to return if they don’t fit. You just attach the return label, tape up the box and back they go without the scorn of a nasty salesperson.

For my home, I covet everything at Auto, especially the Utility Canvas throws (I have a dog and he likes my furniture, so they are the chicest way to cover the white chair that he is so fond of) and the Soof Rillis Patchwork quilts are just to die for (one of these days, I will just take the plunge and by one). I love photography and I recently discovered Lumas. They have an amazing selection of accessible work from everyone from Nan Goldin to young unkowns (a lot of the work is under $1,000). My mother is also an amazing photographer and her work adorns the walls of my apartment. Her work is abstract and graphic and can be found at Carla Berger Photography. Trust me, her photography is a hidden gem.

Ahhh, I could go on and on and on and on, but this seems like a good start. More to come at a later date, as I find coveting cathartic.

Since I just started my own business, my shopaholic tendencies have been “back-burnered” for the foreseeable future. That being said, the point here is that even though times may be tougher and money may be tighter, everyone has to continue to dream, to covet, to lust, as at the end of the day, everything we want is in our reach!!! If you believe it, it will come…trust me, I am talking from experience.

December 08, 2008

I did a little research to back up my assumption that the first thing a woman notices when looking at a man are his eyes, and it seems that I was correct… What makes a man’s eyes so powerful? They give away emotion, they show whether he is being attentive, sometimes they reveal wisdom and intelligence…they can share exactly what he is thinking in a split second.

I recently decided to start dating online. I can’t believe I just admitted it so publicly, but it will really help me illustrate my next point… Some of my friends love online dating and swear by it, but I have one major issue with it. I hate the fact that until I meet the guy, I don’t have a chance to really see his eyes! Photos don’t do the eyes justice. You lose all of the aspects that really make them the window to the soul. I also struggle with finding a connection to someone when the first contact is a phone call. I have never been a major phone person, as without seeing someone’s eyes, I always feel that it is the most direct path to miscommunication. I feel the same way about business. Save the conference call until after you have met at least once. Trust me unless you are beyond impressive on the phone, a face-to-face is your best bet!

So now that I have reinforced the notion that eyes are the key to making a real human connection, treat them as another important way to brand yourself. Don’t forget them when creating your personal style…embrace them, enhance them! Women have the capacity to do this in a dramatic fashion with makeup, but men don’t have this option. Men, however have an even more powerful option…eyewear. I am not talking about sunglasses, though of course, you should own at least one great pair. I am talking about forgoing the lasik eye surgery and proudly donning a statement-making pair of glasses.

I know several men who use eyewear to change their daily look. This is so smart, especially if you have to wear a suit to work. It is a great way to tow the company line and still infuse your own personal flare. Eyewear also can make a powerful branding statement, simply by the type you choose. Certain styles convey creativity, others intellectualism, others success…some show a pension for tradition and others a love of design and modernity. Color choice can also make a strong statement. A bold black frame evokes a sense of bookishness, curiosity, intellectual prowess, while a tortoiseshell conveys an artistic or hip sensibility. If you are a multi-dimensional person, invest in two or three pairs and change them up to fit your mood.

I love heavier plastic frames! They really look great on all men and work just as well on a hipster as on an executive. Some of my favorites come from Oliver Peoples, Salt Optics and Tom Ford. I love the broad horn-rim and black frame selection at Robert Marc and you can find an amazing range of updated classics and fashion styles at Morgenthal Frederics.

If a more traditional wire frame is more your speed, the tinted titanium versions at Facial Index on Grand Street in Soho are perfect. I have to admit that the LensCrafters selection isn’t bad either. The styling has really evolved and is a great solution for someone that doesn’t want to spend a fortune. It is also a great place if you need a check up.
Their optometrists are great and they use the most-cutting edge technology.

Lastly if you are already a savvy collector, try vintage! Fabulous Fanny’s in the East Village is by far my favorite spot. The selection is vast and the prices are amazing.

So whether you just want to look cool or smart and powerful, eyewear can be the ultimate “tell-all”…lose the contacts…define your style…and proudly display your windows to your soul!!!!!

December 07, 2008

Age is definitely a state of mind… it is by no means a personal brand attribute and should never be a consideration when you are creating your brand! Some of my favorite magazines still use that tired formula of making age-appropriate fashion recommendations. I am in the 40’s bucket and I have to tell you that I always prefer the clothes that are deemed acceptable for women in their 20’s and 30’s. In fact, sometimes I even covet some of the 60’s-appropriate items. Now of course these guides are not meant to be rigid, but I have always and still vehemently disagree with the concept.

So what does “age-appropriate” really mean and how should you use it when making your fashion selections. To me it is very simple…dress in clothes that make you feel great, that enhance your shape and body type and that make a statement about who you are!! The only time age is actually relevant in this formula is that clearly our world-view changes and evolves as we become older and wiser and this ultimately colors all of our choices.

Here are some of the common rules imposed on us by the fashion gods whoever they may be… If you are over 35, you really shouldn’t wear short skirts anymore. As you age, you should dress more conservatively and stay away from anything overly trendy. Older women should have shorter hair and so on and so forth… OK, I am not going to disagree that someone who isn’t in decent shape shouldn’t wear mini skirts, but if you have great legs then show them off. My mother always told me “if you got it, flaunt it”! Of course, you should always do so with good taste and great style in mind.

Basically, I believe ALL trends work well on ALL women, as long as you are confident and as I have preached before, you own your choices. That being said, I want to share some of my age-defying Fall favorites. Oh, and if you haven’t guessed yet by reading my columns, I tend to write about things that you can actually wear now. No need to write about Spring clothes, when we still have 4 months of cold coming our way.

I am a major music lover, so you can imagine how excited I was when Rock-n-Roll inspired fashion made a comeback. I would rather be a rock star than a movie star any day, so I immediately ran out and bought some key rocker essentials. I can’t remember which magazine featured them, but I fell in love with the leather/silver rocker bracelets from Trash & Vaudeville in the East Village, worn by the High School Musical crew in the shoot. Of course, they chose teenagers to feature this trend, which I promptly ignored. I didn’t go for the hard-core punk-inspired styles. Instead I found an amazing street vendor in Soho (she is usually on Spring across from Balthazar) who sells skinny leather wrap-around bracelets with silver accents. If you buy 2 or 3 to wear together (they cost about $10-$20), they really do the trick. I also layer them with an amazing bracelet my mom bought for me. It is leather, about ¾ of an inch wide and has silver strips along the entire surface. The effect is still Rock-n-Roll, just a little less in your face.

What rocker would be complete without the quintessential leather jacket? Luckily the leather bomber was a major trend this season so they were really easy to find. My choice was a bold one, by an amazing leather designer named Giorgio Brato! It is actually a really deep purple, almost black, motorcycle jacket style with silver, shiny metallic appliqué throughout the body and arms. Hard to describe, but it is one of those really special pieces. Calypso carries the brand in New York. Some other jackets I covet are the leather blazer from Alexander Wang, on La Garconne.com and everyone should own a Mike & Chris leather bomber.

Another one of my favorite trends this season was the Boho-Chic collection presented by Gucci. If
I could own every piece in the ad
campaign, trust me I would! I did manage to purchase a couple pairs
of
the shoes, which you can still find on sale at NeimanMarcus.com.
Another, way to do this trend is to pair girly, floral dresses with a
long cozy cardigan, tights and booties or calf length boots. For me,
vintage is the way to go for the dresses (Hairy Mary’s on the LES has a
great selection) and cardigans are easy to find. If you don’t want to
spend a fortune, I recommend Vince, as the selection is broad.

I am also obsessed with black lace this season. Prada offered the best
lace dresses, but you can also find amazing versions from Mischen, one
of my new favorites, available on LaGarconne.com, Anna Sui,
available
on Net-A-Porter and great blouses from Elizabeth & James, another
new love, available at Intermix. Vintage stores also are a great
resource for
lace.

Finally, I adore sequins! Wear them during the day, at night, whenever
the spirit moves you. I love to layer sequin tops over more casual
tees and blouses. The Gryphon sequin jacket from Intermix is a must
have and if you are feeling bold, the Miu Miu bomber jacket on
Net-A-Porter will be sure to make a “WOW” statement. I also love
sequins as just an accent. I bought a Miu Miu sequin belt at a Barneys
Outlet two summers ago. It cost about $20 and I swear I wear it with
everything. Purchase special pieces like this and you will find that
they are versatile and can add new life to any tired outfit.

Now, I promise you, none of the items I have mentioned, made it on a
over 40 list…ok, maybe the Prada lace…but I have to tell you that not
only do I feel great in every piece, but when I wear them, I look 100%
my age, whatever that may be!!!

So, the moral today, is IGNORE the fashion gods…experiment with all
trends…embrace your age and remember it is definitely a state of mind

December 06, 2008

I have been thinking about what gives a brand longevity…always know that when I use the word “brand”, I am thinking not just about physical product, but also people. There aren’t many brands that stand the test of time and in today’s product-heavy, media-dominant, fast-paced environment, building a timeless brand is by far one of the most challenging feats in business and in life…

First I want to mention some of the brands that inspire me…not as much for their overall look or style, but because of their ability to stay relevant and always true to their core brand characteristics. In fashion, there isn’t a brand that comes close to Ralph Lauren! The brand has been around for 40 years and arguably has defined American style on an international level. In many ways the Ralph Lauren brand is so intertwined with the global view of America, that it actually has become one of America’s greatest brand attributes.

Other fashion or design oriented brands that either have withstood the test of time or have the potential to do so are of course Apple, the symbol for modern and innovative global design; Nike and the Swoosh, representing strength, motivation and physical perfection; and, Louis Vuitton with its almost ubiquitous logo, representing the ultimate status symbol… What about some of the great “personal brands”? Mick Jagger, the rock star…Jennifer Anniston, the girl next door…Jackie O, the fashion icon… These are all rare and special brands that never waiver, never falter and never give in to the pressure of time. They find a way to evolve, by staying true to what or who they are.

So now I want to segue into the reason for this blog entry…the idea of co-branding to create brand longevity. Brand collaboration isn’t necessarily a new phenomenon, but it has only become popular in fashion in the last few years…. Fashion brands don’t always like to play nice with each other, but when they do the effect can be genius. Obviously, the “Guest Designer” phenomenon has given great credibility to mass brands such as Target and “low” brands such as H&M. It also has allowed aspirational brands such as Karl Lagerfeld and Roberto Cavalli to greatly expand their audiences and emerging brands to garner global attention. Of course these are designer-retailer collaborations, so the fit is a more natural one, but what happens when two fashion brands actually come together?

One of my favorite menswear collaborations in the last year is Raf Simons and Fred Perry. Fred Perry, founded by its namesake in the 1940’s is famous for its cotton pique tennis-inspired shirts and of course its laurel wreath logo. The logo and their signature tennis-modern-prep look have withstood the test of time, however the brand clearly has not enjoyed the kind of global recognition reveled in by some of the aforementioned brands. Raf Simons touted as one of the great modernist menswear designers when he emerged from Antwerp in the mid-1990s had early critical success, though never broke through the fashion clutter to form a lasting brand impression. Raf Simons re-launched his brand in 2005 under the RAF by RAF SIMONS label. So what happens when a brand known for its staying power and consistency joins forces with a brand known for cutting-edge design? Do both finally create enough noise to catapult them to the next level?

Fred Perry By Raf Simons is definitely an exciting collaboration. The collection is current and gives Fred Perry a little shot of relevance. The entire collection is black creating a sharp contrast to the tennis whites the brand is so famous for. It evokes a moodiness…it is sexy…it is wearable and understated. The laurel wreath logo is proudly displayed on all of the knitwear, branding each piece as quintessential Fred Perry. It is available at Barneys Co-op, Opening Ceremony, Fred Segal and Odin, just to name a few.

Clearly this is a co-branding success story…both brands enhance their chances at longevity by creating "smart" noise. If I were advising Fred Perry, I would recommend that they continue seek out guest designers…When a brand has an iconic style or symbol which in their case is the pique shirt, it makes perfect sense to keep reinforcing it and refining it for an ever-changing and fickle audience. For Raf Simons, co-branding is a way to stay in the limelight and to reinforce and stay true to his design vision. He also has an interesting collaboration with Eastpak.

So what does this all mean for my readers? Yes, go out and buy Fred Perry By Raf Simons, but more importantly pay attention to how you co-brand yourself. The concept is very simple… Every time you put a piece of clothing on your body, you are co-branding. You are enhancing your personal attributes with the very brands you choose. Everything you wear makes a statement about the person you are! Once you understand this, not only will you be able to choose your brand collaborations wisely, but you will cut through the clutter, stand out and will be on the road to true brand longevity…

December 05, 2008

Every Friday night I plan to post a new quote that inspires me...it will always be personal and will always relate to how I feel about style..sometimes directly and sometimes in a more abstract way. Sometimes I will share why it inspires me and sometimes, as with my first quote, I will let it speak for itself...

"One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art." ~Oscar Wilde

By now you know I am not a big fan of conformity, fashion rules and yes, in most cases any kind of uniform… I mean my company is based on the concept of creating your own unique brand. I like to look at fashion and the world in general as a blank canvas that each individual has a chance to paint using whatever colors inspire them, so it was really interesting to me when I met someone who changed my view ever so slightly…

One of my new clients basically wears the same thing every day. He is one of the most exceptional and creative people I have ever met, so he is a true artist when it comes to the world he creates around him…however, he chooses just one color to paint himself. This of course got me thinking about the concept of conformity and the idea of a uniform and how there are certain times when wearing the same clothes as your friends or colleagues or wearing the same basic outfit every day actually makes a powerful personal branding statement.

Lets start by looking the “fashion dos” and the “fashion don’ts” of wearing a uniform… Clearly, the military is our most visible point of reference. We all love a man in uniform!! In this case the uniform is used to convey solidarity and strength. Although every man or woman in the military is required to look the same, when you see each person on an individual basis, they obviously stand out from the crowd and make a powerful personal branding statement. This is why the military uniform continues to serve as the one of the most trend-inspiring resources in fashion.

My favorite military-inspired styles for women this season came from Wunderkind, Gryphon on Net-A-Porter and Gary Graham, available on my favorite eCommerce site, La Garconne. For my “low” ladies, Topshop is the best bet. For men, military is easy to find. Marc by Marc Jacobs offers a great military jacket for about $350, available at Barneys and the military boot was a major shoe statement for Fall. Barney’s Co-op Label offers a really wearable lace-up version for $300.
Of course, when it comes to military, the best are the most authentic pieces, so go to any Army/Navy store…you can’t miss!

Now, I can’t do a story on uniforms without mentioning my view of the never-changing male work uniform, the navy suit-white or blue shirt-basic micro-pattern tie-look. Even though you have to wear these basic elements to work every day, please have some fun with your wardrobe! Use interesting shirt-tie combinations to add personality to your style, experiment with more modern fitting suits and please use shoes, belts, tie bars and pocket squares to make a statement. To me, failing to mix up your work wardrobe is a major “fashion don’t”!!

There is only one place in the world, where I think total conformity is actually the most powerful statement of individualism…. You are probably wondering how, since conformity and individualism obviously are contradictory. Have you ever been to Tokyo? I had the good fortune of being sent for work during my Donna Karan days. I spent a blurry total of 48 hours there and was probably in every single retail store in the city. I can barely remember one from the other… That being said I had lunch in the Harajuku district and witnessed first hand the most amazing spectacle of “cloned” style I have ever seen. The youth culture sets global fashion trends here and they do it in force! From a distance, every person looks identical, but when you get up close, the amount of personalization is unbelievable. It is sort of like the Gossip Girl phenomenon…they all have to wear the exact same uniform to school but each character still manages to paint their own unique picture. The key here isn’t that you should dress like the Harajuku youth, it is that if you must conform, figure out how infuse your own personal flare.

OK, the last point I want to make is that if you do wear choose to make a uniform your statement, do so in a way that is unmistakably yours. My inspiration for this story wears a polo shirt (he has them altered to fit his physique), a pair of cords, khakis or jeans and some version of a Timberland-type work boot every day. In my world, I would normally say “yawn”, but for some reason it just works. He owns it, he believes it, so it becomes and integral part of who he is and you can’t help but love it! Another friend of mine adopted a controversial daily work wardrobe. He took work casual to a whole new level, wearing some type of military pant, cut-off tee shirts and a Sammy Hagar inspired hairdo in a fairly corporate fashion environment. Whether or not you think he looks appropriate, he has never let his personal brand wane and it continues to make him one of the more consistently interesting figures in the fashion business.

OK, I admit…my style-view has shifted a bit to allow for the possibility of a uniform way of dressing…so go ahead and paint by numbers and proudly display whatever uniform you are required to wear or you choose to create for yourself. Believe it…love it…own it and others will as well!!!!

December 03, 2008

So we just emerged from the most historical and hope-generating election of our time…I am beyond thrilled that Obama is our President-Elect. That being said, it isn’t only because he is a Democrat or that he is going to be our first African-American President, but I was really moved to see a dramatic shift in our country away from partisan politics and the old Red versus Blue mentality. Americans came together like never before to support change and to demonstrate what it really means to be an American!

That being said, I have a new "low" fashion love (OK "low-ish"), Billy Reid, a great brand that not only epitomizes Americana, but that originated in the deep South…yes, from one of the reddest of Red states, Louisiana, with its headquarters in an even redder state, Alabama. It may just be time for liberal New Yorkers to embrace Southern culture and truly celebrate the Obama victory and all that it stands for.

Billy Reid, launched by William Reid in 1998 recently opened its first store in New York City. It is located on one of my favorite emerging fashion streets, Bond Street, in the up-and-coming and oh-so-hot Bowery area. The store interior is comprised of re-claimed materials such as pre-Civil War heart pine flooring timbers from an old cotton gin and apothecary cabinets from the Mississippi Delta. If history and architecture are not enough of a draw for you, the store itself is just a welcoming and interesting place to shop and the Southern gentleman-inspired clothes are well priced, chic, masculine and stylish…

I absolutely fell for their sportcoats. My favorite jacket is a subtle plaid that retails for $575, but is now 40% off. It is the perfect piece to update your wardrobe! Most of my clients have very basic sportcoats in their closets…the quintessential navy blazer, of which I am a fan and maybe some version of a subtle tweed. A subdued plaid not only will make you look more interesting, but it will also make you look refined and honestly quite dashing. Wear it with dark denim, a great solid shirt or small patterned shirt and the perfect wing-tip shoes or pair it will a modern-fitting flat front pant, a shirt and a v-neck sweater in a color that picks up the accent color in the plaid. I of course love the way Billy Reid styled it, but I know that pattern mixing and bow ties might be a bit daunting for some of you…

If you just can’t get into pattern (yet) their corduroy jackets are also really great. I like corduroy as a replacement for velvet, which made it way into most closets over the last few years. Keep your velvet jacket, as it will never go out of style completely…retire it for a while and try something with some texture instead. The Billy Reid corduroy jacket is perfect for evening or just a weekend casual tee shirt and jeans look.

Although, some of my favorite Billy Reid pieces are jackets, they also have beautiful hand-tailored and made-to-measure suits, great shirts (under $200, also on sale), selvedge denim, and handmade shoes and leather accessories. It is really one-stop shopping for a man who has a real American sensibility, but who also understands and covets a little international flair. To me…true Southern style represents a combination of restrained conservatism and a little bit of British flair mixed in…Billy Reid truly embodies this!

So…continue to celebrate true Americana…a mix of Red and Blue…a cultural and racial melting pot…a place where not only Americans can unite, but where the world can unite…a time when American fashion is more relevant then ever…a time when brands like Billy Reid should become a style-go-to!!!

December 02, 2008

Every day I wake up and immediately power up my Mac. First I check my various emails…I have way too many addresses!!! Then I always go to Facebook. This morning while following my usual routine, I was pleasantly inspired by my always-clever friend Brendan’s Facebook Status. Today he claimed he was a “Recessionista”. Now, I am not sure if he meant this literally, but of course I want to share my interpretation of the word he so adeptly used to define his mood…

My entire business has been designed to assist the "Recessionista". As you know, one of the key services I provide is personal shopping and styling. I set myself apart from the other personal shoppers by focusing not only on the way my clients look, but also the way they think and feel…I also save them a lot of money through my brand relationships and I use high-low shopping as the key way to build a wardrobe. For those of you who don’t know, high-low is simply that I enhance my clients style by not only investing in timeless pieces, but by shopping at the myriad of lower price fashion outlets so prevalent today. I focus on value over conspicuous consumption…

A “Recessionista” is simply someone who deep down is a style-maven and loves high fashion, but who just wants to be smarter about how they spend their money, recession or no recession. This is where high-low shopping know-how is a must! Since it can be tricky to navigate the plethora of stores that do a good job at knocking off higher priced fashion, I am going to share some of my “low” go-tos.

The first, which I write about often, is J.Crew. For men this season it was genius. Not only did they hit all of the key trends in a masculine and wearable way, but they offered some of the most stylish basics that every man should own. There are too many great items to mention, so look at some of my earlier blog entries…I reference J.Crew a lot. For women, even my most-high fashion clients, I love their cashmere sweaters and basic long sleeve tee shirts to layer…their tees are the best in the market! Their fashion belts were also the perfect accessories to update any tired outfit. I particularly loved the leopard print and floral ribbon styles. All are under $50.

Another one of my favorites is Zara. You have to have a really great eye to buy intelligently at Zara, as let’s face it…sometimes inexpensive just means poor quality. I tend to stick to basics at Zara as sometimes their fashion pieces don’t look as well made. They make the best coats…always stylish and you can’t beat the selection! They are usually under $300, so if you just need a little outerwear update and don’t want to make a major investment this year, you will definitely be satisfied. Now here is a Zara dirty little secret…you can find great handbag knock-offs. I bought a metallic, ruched shopper 2 years ago and not only did a film crew ask to photograph it while I waited to get into the Rag & Bone show, but several publishing “Fashionistas” actually asked me if it was Prada…go figure!! This is not an insult, just a testament to how great the bag was.

Uniqlo for men is also one of the best bets. They have an entire side of the store devoted to cashmere sweaters in every color imaginable and they are under $100. Their pea coats and down jackets are also a must buy! At under $200, every man should own one of each. They also make great jeans. My good friend turned me on to them. He swears by them and he is one of the hippest guys I know. They are under $50 and look like you spent $300, the going rate for the best men's denim today.

H&M is hit or miss, but I have a few H&M finds that literally stumped the most discerning fashion-girls. My favorite is a camel cotton sundress with tiers of pressed pleats. If I had a penny for every time someone asked if it was Prada, I would be a very wealthy girl. It cost me $35. I also found another dress that women think is Chloe. That one broke my bank at about $45. H&M is better in the spring, as for some reason their fall clothes just look less expensive and rely on being overly trendy.

Now I don’t about you, but I can barely contain myself about Topshop opening in Soho in the spring. I was in London a few months ago and braved the Saturday madness at the Piccadilly Circus flagship. It is a “low” shoppers dream come true, however you really have to have a critical eye to make it work. It is also trend overload, so it is important to understand which trends will work for you. That being said, if you are just really dying to try plaid head-to-toe, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg if it turns out you made a massive mistake.

Finally, my favorite “low” go to and a personal passion is vintage and consignment shopping… It is the best way to get a designer fix, to add personality to your wardrobe and to find special pieces that are uniquely you! Since vintage and consignment shopping is one of my specialties, I will dedicate another entire entry to this very subject someday.

So it is actually quite easy to become a “Recessionista”! Smart, value-conscious shopping doesn’t mean you have to compromise style or quality…fine-tune your eye, build your basics wardrobe…experiment with trends and look for unique and special pieces that enhance your personality!

December 01, 2008

I recently signed a new client... My current consulting assignment is provocative, sexy and represents a modern view of sensuality...it is thought-provoking look at lingerie and the "lingerie lifestyle". My sometimes-consulting partner and friend is also involved in a significant lingerie project and a photographer friend of mine is currently shooting a lingerie story. When I was telling the photographer about the other two projects, he looked at me and said, "Do you think lingerie is the new black?" Since there really are no coincidences in life, of course this got me thinking...

If you look back over the last 30 some odd years, you will find several moments when lingerie was at the forefront of pop culture. Madonna used lingerie and sexuality like no other pop star before or after her to provoke her audience and yes, to brand herself. Whether or not you are a fan of Sex And The City, you can't deny that lingerie was practically its own character in the show. Carrie Bradshaw made famous "show-your-bra" fashion and Samantha Jones spent more time in lingerie than any other item of clothing...Today, Victoria's Secret has not only brought lingerie to the forefront once again with in-your-face seductive advertising and high-fashion runway shows, but they have made it a mainstream way to express one's sensuality and yes, sexuality!

That being said...lingerie seems pretty hidden these days. I didn't see one bra strap in Miami (isn't this the capital of in your face sexuality?) and most women don't really even do the sheer “peek-a-boo” look anymore. I used to wear my Cosabella camisoles proudly!! I think the challenge is that most women just don't know how to use lingerie to make a fashion statement without it looking "slutty". Lingerie isn't a subject that the media really covers, so no one is teaching women how to buy or wear it. So, even with all of this attention over the last 30 years, it remains something saved for the privacy of the boudoir.

So here are few quick tips to use lingerie as a cost-effective way to update your look… Let your bra or camisole peak through a low cut top. Trust me, seeing a little bra is much sexier than seeing your bountiful cleavage and no, the two don’t have to go hand in hand! Only do this if the bra fits and save, no actually lose, the Wonderbra. Make sure the bra or camisole is a piece that should be seen. In other words, don’t display your every day comfy bra! Wear a lace bra or cami under a sheer top, but make sure that it isn’t so see through that the lingerie becomes the focus. Even Carrie Bradshaw was a “fashion don’t” from time to time. Some lingerie is fit to be worn as a top, so if you have a piece, like a corset, that is just so fabulous, let it fly solo! I also love the idea of layering a slip or a couple of slips under this seasons longer, cozy sweaters. Belt the slip/s to give you some shape and you will look quite sultry and romantic.

Finally if you don't want to be so literal...the famous Herve Leger Bandage Dress has made a comeback via Max Azria and lingerie-inspired lace is a major Fall 2008 statement. Look to Prada for inspiration.

Now all of you guys out there…buy lingerie for your partner, but leave the Playboy Bunny look for Playboy Bunnies! Buy her special pieces that she can use to make a fashion statement and yes, of course will work in the privacy of your home as well.

Lingerie has been thrust into the spotlight and if I am correct, is about to have another MAJOR fashion moment! It has become big, big business and is no longer just about comfort and support. Lingerie is fashion and should be treated as such...it should not be hidden...it should be celebrated and used in a subtle way to provoke, to inspire and of course, to brand yourself!!!

I have never been a fan of fashion rules…Yes, I suppose they exist so that the painfully “styleless”, those people you see in magazine “fashion-don’t” columns have some general guidelines to follow, but in general I think they limit personal expression, which to me is the cornerstone of real style…

Last week I was in Miami with my family for Thanksgiving. The weather was insanely good…zero humidity…no clouds…perfect! It was the first time the whole Berger gang has ever vacationed together as adults. Now I am sure you are thinking…uh oh…she is going to write about family drama…but actually not only was the entire trip harmonious, I was inspired by some age-defying style common ground…

It was our last night… We met in the lobby before dinner and both my brother and father were wearing white pants. Now of course white, according to fashion rules, is acceptable during the summer or when you are on vacation in a warm climate so this wasn’t a major style statement. What it was however was a great style moment! My father in his mid-sixties and my almost-40 year old brother had a fashion meeting of the minds…so to speak. They both looked incredibly chic and yes, ageless…

My brother had on a high-waist John Varvatos chino, flat front, fitted, very modern. He wore it with a tucked in shirt (thank you…I am a big fan of the tuck in) and a really hot pair of YSL loafers. He looked very Italian “fab” meets modern American.

My dad had a looser, more resort-feeling pant on and he wore it with a casual, slightly fluid-looking, un-tucked shirt (I am working on getting him to tuck in) and a less “fashiony” loafer. He looked very vacation chic…not in a cheesy way…in a subtle and sophisticated way.

They both looked comfortable in their clothes…they both looked effortlessly stylish and they both looked beyond fashionable…

So now to the rule breaking part…white looks perfect in the cold weather months. If you find the right pair…stick with a heavier fabric like corduroy or moleskin…you really can wear them all year-round. Women too!!! I love to see women in white jeans or winter white pants in the dead of winter. Now of course the trick is to pair them with other items and colors that scream winter, so you don’t look like you just came off the beach.

Some of my favorite white pants this season come from my go-to J. Crew. They offer classic white jeans all year and they have a slightly off-white color called Stone in their Classic Fit Chino, which is their most modern fit. You can’t beat the just under $60 price. Theory also has a great corduroy version in winter white, called the “Braden Marlo”. It is their classic trouser fit and it retails for $225. And finally for my real luxury seekers…the absolute best version this season is from Brunello Cucinelli. It was their big fashion statement! It retails for about $500, though I am sure you can find it on sale. It is not available online (at least, I can’t find it) but you can buy it at Bergdorf Goodman or at their store in the Meat Packing District
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So ignore those tired style rules…wear white pants all year…break out of your comfort zone and make a statement about your personal style!!!!